The Cincinnati Bengals are going through some unprecedented times with one of their rookies. Shemar Stewart, who was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, remains unsigned and is no longer working out with the team.
Now, a major executive in Cincinnati has taken a stand in the matter.
“I Don’t Understand” Bengals Executive Rips Shemar Stewart, Fallout Massive (Statement)
In the days leading up to the start of training camp, all eyes will be on the defensive line of the Cincinnati Bengals:
Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end and reigning NFL sacks leader Trey Hendrickson is still searching for a new contract and rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart is the lone unsigned first-round pick from April’s draft.
The Bengals and Stewart did not reach an agreement on a contract before rookies reported to camp July 19, according to The Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway.
Bengals director of personnel Duke Tobin discussed Stewart’s holdout July 21 at the team’s annual media luncheon.
“I hope Shemar (Stewart) comes in. He needs to be here,” Tobin said, according to Ben Baby of ESPN.
The holdup for Stewart, the No. 17 overall pick in April, and the Bengals continues to be a disagreement in his contract’s language over future guaranteed money and the payout structure of his signing bonus.
“I don’t blame Shemar (Stewart). He’s listening to the advice he’s paying for. I don’t understand the advice,” Tobin said, according to Jaron May of WLWT.
Stewart can’t report to training camp without a signed contract.
The Bengals reached an agreement on a four-year deal with second-round pick Demetrius Knight just before rookies reported to training camp.
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